URSULINE ACADEMY PRINCIPAL Suzanne Dorsey Heidel ’85

Suzanne Dorsey Heidel ’85 returned to Ursuline Academy as Dean of Students three years ago, following 17 years of service at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. This school year, she began serving as principal for Kindergarten through 12th grade students at Ursuline. Nearly all of her 27 years of Catholic education experience has been in all-girls’ schools. Sue earned a Masters of Theology from Notre Dame Seminary and her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Louisiana State University. She recently completed a Certificate in School Management and Leadership through a joint program of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. She has interest in Design Thinking for educators and innovation in schools, completing training with 4.0 Schools, Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and Leadership + Design. Sue served on the Ursuline Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force with a focus on student life.

“What a joy to serve my Alma Mater! It is a gift and awesome responsibility. In the fall, we welcomed our 300th graduating class of Ursuline Academy New Orleans. Our world needs confident, compassionate, and innovative leaders. Those are the qualities of our foundress, St. Angela Merici, and our mission and core values provide our students with the tools they need to make 'herstory.' Ultimately, our work aims to be certain that every Ursuline girl knows the truth that she is loved by God and has gifts that only she can share with our world. The administration supports a remarkably talented and loyal faculty and staff who help our students discover those gifts and who celebrate each person on campus as a unique individual. It is an extraordinary experience to be part of the first girls’ Catholic school in the United States and know that we are a part of an international network of over 100 Ursuline schools following the path of the courageous St. Angela Merici.”

This 2022-2023 school year, we are beyond excited to welcome our 8th grade class, who will be making HERstory as the Academy’s 300th graduating class! As the first all-girls’ Catholic school in the United States, this is a milestone that is unsurpassed in our country! The Ursuline Sisters were true trailblazers of their time and we are proud that our students continue their legacy today. We celebrate our Class of 2027 and can’t wait to see what trails they will blaze.

Ursuline Academy is dedicated to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social growth of each individual. In addition to a life-long commitment to Serviam: I will serve, the Academy strives to instill the ideals of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Courage in all of its students. During the 7th grade promotion, the Academy honors students who exemplify each ideal.

The student who exemplifies courtesy embodies politeness in attitude and behavior towards others. This year’s recipient of the Courtesy Award was Ava Schlaudecker.

The student who exemplifies loyalty shows devotion and faithfulness to Ursuline Academy and its traditions and values throughout her lifetime at Ursuline. This year’s recipient of the Loyalty Award was Addison Hebert.

The student who exemplifies courage has shown great strength in the face of adversity and challenge while standing true to Ursuline’s values. This year’s recipient of the Courage Award was Khlöe Webster. We also honored the student who embodies all core values and ideals of Ursuline. She is dedicated to our motto “I will serve.” This year’s recipient of the Serviam Award was Carmela Juan.

Courage

Khlöe Webster

Serviam Award

Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, founded 1727, conducted its 295th commencement exercise on May 21, 2022 in the school’s auditorium. The Honorable Monique G. Morial, an Ursuline graduate of 1988, delivered the commencement address. Judge Morial currently serves in Orleans

First City Court, Section A.

The ceremony began with an invocation by Sister Regina Marie Fronmüller, OSU, Ursuline Sister and Board of Trustees member. Ursuline Academy’s Dean of Students, Sue Heidel, served as Mistress of Ceremonies, while Principal Dr. Judy Armstrong and Academy President Dr. Karen Jakuback presented awards and diplomas to the graduating seniors.

The valedictorian was Anna Atkins, the daughter of Jenea and Dr. Steven Atkins. Anna was vice president of Key Club and a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Jesuit Jayettes. She was also an Audubon Zoo Jr. Keeper, where she served as president of Youth Council. Anna was named a 2021 Carson Scholar. She will attend Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee on the Cambridge Scholarship and will major in Biology and minor in Environmental on a PreVet track.

The salutatorian was Hebah Mohiuddin, the daughter of Dr. Anjuman Ara and Syed Mohiuddin. Hebah was vice president of National Honor Society, Secretary of Mu Alpha Theta, Secretary of Diversity of Women Club, and a member of Key Club. She participated in district rallies and went to state rally for geometry. She received the President’s Scholarship, Legacy Scholarship, and Louisiana Resident Scholarship from Loyola University New Orleans. She will attend Loyola and will major in Psychology on the Pre-Med track.

The following students were ranked, along with the valedictorian and salutatorian, in the top ten of the graduating class : McKenna K. Brannan, Isabelle C. Foret, Nya D. Harrison, Bailey E. Haynes, Sophia I. Law, Sweden L. Ledet, Ava L. Prestenbach, and Taylor N. Ulmer.

The highest award that Ursuline gives, the CLC Medal , is given in recognition of the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has exemplified to an outstanding degree the qualities of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Courage expected of the Ursuline student. The recipient of this year’s CLC Medal was Sweden L. Ledet.

The Sr. Damian Aycock, OSU Award is given in memory of Sr. Damian Aycock - Ursuline Sister and alumna who was also former shrine director, prioress and principal. Sr. Damian also served as the first president of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans. In regards to her service, she stated: "I am among you, not as one seated at the table, but as one who serves." The annual award is given for outstanding humanitarian service to those inside and outside of Ursuline Academy as voted on by the senior class. The seniors’ choice for this award was Morgan C. Bennett.

The Sedes Sapientiae Medal , which takes its name from one of the titles of Our Lady “Seat of Wisdom,” is presented annually to the senior whose scholarship, achievement, and loyalty, in the opinion of the faculty, have been consistent and outstanding. This year’s recipient was Bailey E. Haynes.

Mya N. Falgout was selected as the 2022 Cor Unum Award recipient by the Ursuline Alumnae Association. Candidates are judged solely on their love for Ursuline Academy and their honest expression of what the Academy means to them.

The 61 graduates earned a total of $10.2 million in fouryear scholarships.

The other graduates were Fadek A. Al-Rashed, Lindsay

M. Bickham, Olivia L. Buras, Katherine A. Burnett, Julia P. Caracci, Julienne F. Chaplain, Riley K. Danflous, Camille A. Daniels, Paris M. Davis, Amira D. Dawson, Constance A. De Monredon, Laila M. Fernandez, Keelin D. Fisher, Julia F. Flood, Stella E. Flood, Colleen M. Fowler, Chloe G. Giraud, Caitlyn A. Hall, Lauren J. Harper, Hannah G. Hebert, Brianna M. Icaza, Meghan L. Keen, Sydney P. Kern, Kelsi M. King, Maria A. Kiper, Camryn S. Lafleur, Mary Margaret LeBlanc, Berlin

M. Ledet, Catherine R. Legendre, Brooklyn M. Loga, Sarah Grace D. Maag, Natalia A. Mann, Caroline G. Merwin, Mia C. Montagnino, Sophie M. Nice, Megan E. Pulizzano, Lindsay

M. Robichaux, Sydney T. Rorison, Kristina A. Rosch, Hannah

M. Shorts, Alayah C. Sylvester, Elizabeth K. Teran, Emily E. Threeton, Makayla L. Tilley, Dasia A. Trepagnier, Isabella K. Webster, Isabella A. White, Demitria A. Wicker, and Nicole E. Young.

61 graduates earned a total of $10,200,000 in scholarships & completed a total of 10,515 service hours. Graduates of the Class of 2022 were accepted to the following 111 universities & colleges:

Abilene Christian University

American University

Arizona State University (Main Campus)

Auburn University

Baton Rouge Community College

Belmont University

Bennington College

Boston University

Bridgewater College

Case Western Reserve University

Catholic University of America

Centenary College of Louisiana

Clark Atlanta University

Clemson University

Converse College

Dillard University

Elon University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)

Emerson College

Emory University

Florida Memorial University

Fordham University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Hampton University

Hawaii Pacific University

Hendrix College

High Point University

Howard University

Huntingdon College

Huston-Tillotson University

Ithaca College

Jackson State University

James Madison University

Lewis & Clark College

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University New Orleans

Lynn University

Miami University (Oxford)

Michigan State University

Miles College

Millsaps College

Mississippi College

Mississippi State University

Morgan State University

Navarro College

Nicholls State University

Oklahoma State University (Main Campus)

Pace University (New York City)

Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus)

Prairie View A&M University

Reed College

Rhodes College

Rollins College

Saint Louis University

Sam Houston State University

Samford University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

Sewanee: The University of the South

Southeastern Louisiana University

Southern University and A&M College

Spelman College

Spring Hill College

Susquehanna University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Tennessee State University

Texas A&M University

Texas Southern University

Texas State University

The New School

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Trinity Valley Community College

Tulane University of Louisiana

Tuskegee University

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Denver

University of Holy Cross

University of Houston

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Mary Hardin (Baylor)

University of Mary Washington

University of Mississippi

University of New Orleans

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh (Main Campus)

University of South Alabama

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida (Main Campus)

University of Southern California

University of Southern Mississippi

University of Tulsa

University of Virginia (Main Campus)

Vanderbilt University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Whittier College